Early results of minimal invasive surgery in patients with pectus carinatum

Background: In this study, we reported the results of minimal invasive surgery in our patients with pectus carinatum. Methods: Between July 2008 and December 2010, a total of nine male patients (mean age 10.6 years; range 4.4 to 15 years) were operated for pectus carinatum deformity with minimal invasive surgery (Abramson method) in Thoracic Surgery Clinic. The patients were hospitalized in the previous day of surgery for surgical preparation. The mean duration of operation was 83 minutes. The patients were operated using a bar and two fixators attached to the chest wall, as defined by Abramson. The bar was inserted through a subcutaneous tunnel in the first patient. In other patients, the bar was inserted via a submuscular tunnel passing through chest wall. Systemic analgesics and antibiotics were used postoperatively. Results: In the first patient, the bar which was inserted subcutaneusly was perforated the skin due to an infection on day 15 following surgery. This bar was removed and the deformity was corrected with Ravitch method. There was no complication in other patients. The most frequent postoperative complaint was pain within the first two days following surgery; however it was relieved thereafter. All patients were discharged on day five following surgery. There was no mortality and morbidity. Conclusion: The surgery of pectus carinatum deformity with minimal invasive surgery is a recently introduced method, therefore the results are not clear yet. We consider that small and lateral incision scar with minimal complications may lead to patient satisfaction. We also consider that this approach would be an alternative to much more invasive techniques.